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10 Facts about EPOXY RESINS You Need to Know
Disclaimer: Much of the information below is general in nature, non-specific to any particular brand, and randomly presented. There are always exceptions to everything and no doubt someone could debate nearly every point made below. However, in general, the information below holds true and will make you immediately knowledgeable about epoxies.

1. Epoxy coatings are used because of their outstanding chemical resistance, durability, low porosity and strong bond strength.

2. Epoxies consist of a ‘base' and a ‘curing' agent. The two components are mixed in a certain ratio. A chemical reaction occurs between the two parts generating heat (exotherm) and hardening the mixture into an inert, hard ‘plastic'. Greenlight Marine Grade Epoxy System is available with FAST Hardener or SLOW Hardener. Slow hardener is recommended for beginners as it has much more working time and very low exotherm.

3. After the two epoxy parts are combined there is a working time (pot life) during which the epoxy can be applied or used. Generally the pot life will be anywhere from minutes to one hour or longer. At the end of the potlife the mixture becomes very warm (or even dangerously hot) and quickly begins to harden. Greenlight Marine Grade Epoxy System with FAST Hardener has a pot life of 20 minutes @ 77 degrees F. SLOW Hardener has a pot life of 40 minutes at 77 degrees F.

4. In theory, a temperature change of 18 degrees F. will double or half the pot life and cure time of an epoxy. Higher temperatures will lower the viscosity (thin) the epoxy, but also reduce the working time a person has to apply the epoxy. Spreading out the mixed epoxy instead of keeping it concentrated in a bucket or container will extend the pot life.

5. Epoxies will harden in minutes or hours, but complete cure (hardening) will generally take several days. Most epoxies will be suitably hard within a day or so, but may require more time to harden before the coating can be sanded. Greenlight Marine Grade Epoxy System with FAST Hardener cures in 2 1/2 hours @ 77 degrees F. The epoxy with SLOW Hardener cures in 4 hours at 77 degrees F.

6. Generally epoxies become too thick and cure too slowly to be applied at temperatures below 50 or 60 degrees F. Temperatures in the 60s, 70s, or low 80s, are best. After the epoxy has cured, it can handle temperatures well below zero degrees F.

7. Epoxies will begin to soften at about 140 degrees F, but will reharden when the temperature is reduced. For common epoxies this temperature is approximate upper end of working temperature range of epoxies. Special high temperature epoxies do exist, however.

8. The best time to recoat epoxy is within about 48 hours after the initial coat. Because epoxies take days to reach full cure, a second coat applied shortly after the first coat will partially fuse to the first coat rather than forming a simple mechanical bond.

9. The difference between polyester resins (used to be commonly used in surfboards) and epoxy resins: Polyester resins are toxic, have very strong fumes, are more porous than epoxy resins, brittle, and only sticks really well to itself. Generally epoxies (which are often solvent-free) can be applied to Polystyrene foam (EPS) products whereas the polyester resins will dissolve these products.

10. Fisheyes are areas on an epoxied surface where the coating literally pulls away for the substrate leaving a coatingless void or fisheye. Often fisheyes are caused by surface contaminants such as a bit of silicon, wax, or oil. Surface tension plays a big part in fisheyeing. Some epoxy systems have additives that can be mixed into the epoxy that will reduce surface tension. Applying several coats of thinned epoxy, instead of one coat of unthinned epoxy, seems to work well. Applying a thick coat of epoxy over a contaminated fisheye surface will bury the fisheye but expect the coating to peel away in the future. As a rule of thumb, always suspect some sort of surface contamination as the primary cause of fisheyeing. Pinholes are similar but caused by expanding air bubbles under the still soft epoxy.

Although most motorcyclists have accepted wearing a helmet as a part of their ride, it is not as simple as just putting on any hard hat and going for a ride.
Know the State Laws
Illinois does not require motorcyclists to wear a helmet and is only one of four states that make wearing a helmet an option. If you do choose to not protect yourself with a motorcycle helmet, understand that if you cross out of Illinois into another state, you will likely be in violation of that state’s mandatory laws.

Wear a Helmet Anyway
Motorcycle accidents are unpredictable and happen on Chicago streets every day. With nothing else protecting you from serious brain injury, the best safety precaution you can do is protect your head with a helmet.

Choose the Right Helmet
When looking for a helmet, make sure that it meets the minimum safety standards offered by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or by Snell. The safety standards can be found on the inside of the helmet and ensures that the brand and model you choose have met the rigid test standards for both of these organizations.

Make Sure the Helmet Fits Properly
You should try helmets on to ensure a proper fit. Manufacturers use different criteria when determining size, so each one will be different. A helmet for motorcycle riding should fit squarely on your head, with no more than room for two fingers space. The cheek pads need to be touching, but gaps should exist between the pads for the brow and your temples.

Your Helmet May Need to Be Replaced
After three or four years, the protective qualities of a helmet may deteriorate and no longer be effective. Replace your helmet at this time or after you have been in an accident.

Why Helmets Are So Important for Motorcyclists
One of the leading causes of a fatal motorcycle accident is traumatic brain injury. This can occur from being thrown from the bike after impact and hitting the ground at great force. There are varying degrees of brain injury which could cause nothing more than a slight concussion or injury so severe that it leads to death. Studies done by John Hopkins University indicate that these types of injuries drop 65% when a helmet is worn, while fatal accidents are reduced by 37%. You may also be reducing your risk of cervical spine injury and paralysis. (Learn about how Helmets Protect from Brain Injury.)

Illinois Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Enough has been said about the importance of wearing a proper helmet while riding a motorcycle. Using a proper helmet can save lives of motorcycle riders and passengers, and prevent many disabling injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics, riding a motorcycle is much more dangerous than driving a car.

In 2014, the chances of being killed in a motorcycle crash were 27 times higher for motorcycle riders compared to car occupants. Wearing a helmet means 37 percent better chances of survival in an accident and 67 percent better chances of preventing a brain injury compared to riders who do not wear a helmet.

Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer is often asked whether there are any motorcycle helmet laws in Illinois. In this post, we will answer this common question.

Helmet laws in Illinois
Currently, Illinois does not require a motorcycle rider or passenger to wear a helmet while the motorcycle is in operation. In fact, Illinois is one of the three states that do not have any laws necessitating helmet usage by motorcycle riders. However, Illinois has laws that require riders to use safety goggles that can provide frontal and side protection.

While Illinois does not have any specific laws on helmet usage, there are federal laws on motorcycle helmet usage. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has enacted the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, which has standards on design and manufacturing of motorcycle helmets. These standards require that motorcycle helmets should provide protection for specific speeds and the various levels of impact.

Apart from these standards, the Snell Memorial Foundation has also set its own standards for motorcycle safety. Although these standards are voluntary, but many motorcycle riders and passengers follow these standards for better safety. Snell certification is an indicator of the helmet’s quality.

There is nothing that beats the pleasure of riding a motorcycle with cool winds brushing past to you. However, it is important to understand that just because the Illinois does not require you to use a helmet, it does not mean it is safe to ride without one. This independence and excitement of riding without a helmet can cost you your life or at least quality of life.

Remember, motorcycle riders are not protected from the side, rear, front, and top like car, truck and other automobile drivers are. In event of a motorcycle crash, the rider and passengers fall directly to the ground. The resulting impact can cause severe injuries ranging from broken bones, severe lacerations, traumatic brain injuries and even amputations. If the motorcyclist suffers a brain injury, it can cause physical disabilities, unbearable pain, loss of cognitive abilities, and loss of life’s pleasure. In worse cases, death can occur. The chances of all this happening can reduce drastically if you wear a proper helmet.

If the motorcyclist suffers a brain injury, it can cause physical disabilities, unbearable pain, loss of cognitive abilities, and loss of life’s pleasure. In worse cases, death can occur. The chances of all this happening can reduce drastically if you wear a proper helmet.

Motorcycle Safety and Helmet Use
The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that there are on average 3,300 motorcycle accidents annually involving minor to serious injuries. Of these, 150 motorcyclists sustain fatal injuries. Fatalities caused by motorcycle accidents amount to almost 16 percent of the total fatalities in the state. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in a road accident, motorcyclists are 39 times more likely to sustain fatal injuries as compared to occupants of passenger cars.

Steps to Keeping Motorcyclists Safe
The traffic in Chicago is amongst the most congested in the country; therefore, the likelihood of motorcycle accidents is also high. This requires increased road safety awareness campaigns and additional steps to ensure the safety of motorcyclists on the road. The most important step for traffic enforcement agencies is to be able to identify drunk drivers and also those who have been in previous fatal motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists should also keep a check on themselves and avoid riding while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Wearing a Helmet
The other important step is to wear a proper motorcycle helmet while riding. As a public awareness program, a document titled ‘Motorcycle Safety’ has been published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The document brings out various statistics regarding motorcycle accidents and also provides guidelines to ensure the safety of a motorcyclist. The statistics of 2010 show that 41 percent of motorcycle riders and 50 percent of passengers who died in accidents were not wearing helmets. The CDC continues to research better ways to ensure the safety of motorcyclists; they state that wearing a proper helmet is the best way to reduce the number of traumatic brain injuries and deaths in a motorcycle accident.

Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is the best safety mechanism. The statistics regarding helmet use indicate that a helmet reduces the chances of death in an accident by 37 percent. The risk of head injury while wearing a helmet is reduced by 69 percent. The risk of death to a rider not wearing a helmet is 40 percent more than that of a rider wearing a helmet.

Traumatic Brain Injuries
An injury to the head in an accident can have life-altering consequences. The brain is a sensitive organ and severe trauma can result in traumatic brain injury. The injury may not be fatal, but it can be debilitating and can severely affect the life of the victim. The victim may have to undergo long rehabilitation treatment which can be an emotionally traumatic experience for the loved ones of the victim. The treatment of traumatic brain injuries is almost 13 times more expensive than non-brain injuries and this can have a big financial impact for the victim and the family.

Choosing Motorcycle Safety Gear
When riding a motorcycle, it is important to wear appropriate safety gear that offers protection and is comfortable, well-fitting, and durable. Here is a list of motorcycle safety gear that will offer protection in the event of a motorcycle crash.

Helmet
A helmet is by far the most important safety accessory. Even though Chicago does not have a mandatory helmet law, it is important to wear a helmet whenever you ride for your own safety. Consider the following features when you choose a helmet:

Vents: Proper ventilation makes it easier to wear a helmet even in warmer weather. If the helmet has proper vents and does not feel too hot, it is more likely that you will wear it.
Hard outer shell: The harder the outer shell, the better it will protect you from external shock and pe*******on.
Comfort liner: It is important that the helmet you choose fits perfectly and does not obstruct your view. A comfort liner ensures a secure fit.
Retention system: This feature is important, because it secures the helmet to your body in the event of a crash.
Visor: A visor keeps bugs, wind, and other debris at bay and lets you drive comfortably.
Impact absorbing liner: A liner absorbs shock on impact and makes helmet more effective.
There are a wide variety of helmets available in the market. While some helmets offer complete protection, others do not have visors or protect the whole face. Partial helmets do not protect the jaw area and mouth. Use a full-face helmet for complete protection.

Protective Clothing
A motorcyclist should always wear a protective jacket and pants. While riding, protective clothing provides protection from the elements. Choose clothing made of sturdy and durable material such as leather, ballistic nylon, and cordura. These materials offer protection both from the elements and injuries in the event of a crash. Make sure the protective gear you choose is slightly bigger than your regular clothing. Ill-fitting protective clothing can do more harm than good by becoming a distraction. Purchase a jacket with a high collar and layer your clothes to avoid being too cold or hot.

Footwear
Proper footwear protects you from motorcycle parts that tend to become too hot and offers protection from roadside debris. Choose footwear with good soles so that you get a good grip of the motorcycle and the roadway. Boots make a good choice as they can protect you from foot and ankle injuries as well.

Gloves
Wear snug fitting gloves that do not interfere with steering. They should help you with a good grip and protect from injuries and elements. Wear thin gloves in the summer and thicker ones in winter.

10 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT DUCKS
Did you know that all ducks have highly waterproof feathers?

Ducks are a group of species of water birds – relatively small in size and with shorter necks than their close cousins of swans and geese. Along with their longer necked cousins, they make up the biological family of Anatidae. Humans have had a long relationship with members of this family by being economically and culturally important to us. Ducks, in particular, have been domesticated to be exploited for their feathers, eggs and meat.

All ducks have highly waterproof feathers. A duck's feathers are so waterproof that even when the duck dives underwater, the downy underlayer of feathers right next to the skin will stay completely dry.
Ducks are omnivorous and will eat grass, aquatic plants, insects, seeds, fruit, fish, crustaceans and other types of food.
Ducklings younger than 10 days tend to swim and walk as a group, always close to their mother, to avoid the attack of predators.
Most duck species are monogamousfor a breeding season but they do not often mate for life. Instead, they will seek out new mates each year, choosing the healthiest, strongest, best mate who can help them pass on their genes to a new duckling generation.
Ducks are outgoing, social animals who feel most at ease when they're in a larger group of other ducks.
Ducks are birds. Ducks are also called ‘waterfowl’ because they are normally found in places where there is water like ponds, streams, and rivers.
Ducks can live up to 20 years, depending on the species and if well cared for.
The production of eggs is affected by daylight. When there is more daylight, the ducks will lay more eggs. To prevent this from happening, farmers use artificial lighting so that the ducks have about 17 hours of light a day to produce eggs efficiently.
The eggs will hatch within 28 days normally, except for the Muscovy duck which takes about 35 days to hatch. The mother duck will keep her brood of ducklings together to protect them from predators.
Ducks have been domesticated as pets and farm animals for more than 500 years, and all domestic ducks are descended from either the mallard or the Muscovy duck. Mallards, especially, are easy to crossbreed with other types of ducks, and mallards often hybridise with all types of ducks at local ponds.